Does the "Suspected Blood Indicator" improve the detection of bleeding lesions by capsule endoscopy?

BACKGROUND: The "Suspected Blood Indicator" (SBI), a feature included in the software for interpretation of capsule endoscopy (CE), is designed to facilitate detection of bleeding lesions in the small bowel. This study evaluated the sensitivity and the specificity of the SBI in patients who underwent CE for obscure GI bleeding (OGIB). METHODS: CE recordings from patients with OGIB recruited in 7 centers were read by experts blinded to the red SBI tags. They classified lesions of interest as bleeding or as having a potential for bleeding that was high (P2), low (P1), or absent (P0). The SBI tags then were marked by a another investigator. Concordance was acknowledged when frames selected by the expert reader, and those tagged by the SBI had the same time code. RESULTS: A total of 156 recordings were evaluated. In 83, there was either no lesion (n = 71) or a P0 lesion (n = 12); these CE recordings were regarded as normal. Among the 73 abnormal recordings, 114 P2 and 92 P1 lesions were identified. A total of 154 red tags were analyzed. Sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of SBI were 37%, 59%, 50%, and 46%, respectively, for detection of the presence of a P2 or P1 lesion in front of a red tag. CONCLUSIONS: SBI-based detection of intestinal lesions with the potential for bleeding is of limited clinical value in practice and does not reduce the time required for interpretation of CE.     

CAPSULE ENDOSCOPY FOR OBSCURE GASTROINTESTINAL BLEEDING IN THE TROPICS: REPORT FROM INDIA

Background: Capsule endoscopy (CE) is useful in patients with obscure gastrointestinal bleeding (OGIB). Experience in CE in OGIB in the tropics is limited. Methods: Eighty‐six patients with OGIB were evaluated clinically and using CE (Given Imaging, Yoqneam, Israel) 89 times (twice in three patients) during a 64‐month period. Images were downloaded and examined by a single investigator using software (Rapid Reader; Given Imaging, Yoqneam, Israel). Patients received specific treatment and were followed up. Intraoperative findings, response to specific treatment and outcome on follow up (10.3 ± 14.1 months) were considered to confirm CE findings. Results: Of 86 patients (aged 54.5 ± 16.3 years, 63 males), 64 and 22 had OGIB‐overt and OGIB‐occult, respectively. Lesions were equally detected in OGIB‐overt and OGIB‐occult patients (48/64, 75% vs 18/22, 81.8%, P = ns). Lesions were detected in 64 of 86 (74.4%) patients [vascular malformations with or without fresh bleeding in 24 (37.5%), tumors in 12 (18.8%), strictures in 15 (23.4%), ulcers in five (7.8%), hookworm in five (7.8%), and more than one lesion in three patients (4.7%)]. Endoscopic insertion of the capsule was required in four patients, and in six it was retained, although none developed intestinal obstruction (surgical removal in two). The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values of CE to detect the lesion(s) were 92.9%, 68.2%, 84.8%, and 83.3%, respectively. Conclusion: CE is safe and is equally effective in detecting lesion(s) in occult and overt OGIB. Worm infestation and small bowel tuberculosis are unique and important causes of OGIB in the tropics.     

Double Balloon Enteroscopy Detects Small Bowel Mass Lesions Missed by Capsule Endoscopy

BACKGROUND: Small bowel mass lesions (SBML) are a relatively common cause of obscure gastrointestinal bleeding (OGIB). Their detection has been limited by the inability to endoscopically examine the entire small intestine. This has changed with the introduction of capsule endoscopy (CE) and double balloon enteroscopy (DBE) into clinical practice. STUDY AIM: To evaluate the detection of SBML by DBE and CE in patients with OGIB who were found to have SBML by DBE and underwent both procedures. METHODS: A retrospective review of a prospectively collected database of all patients undergoing DBE for OGIB at seven North American tertiary centers was performed. Those patients who were found to have SBML as a cause of their OGIB were further analyzed. RESULTS: During an 18 month period, 183 patients underwent DBE for OGIB. A small bowel mass lesion was identified in 18 patients. Of these, 15 patients had prior CE. Capsule endoscopy identified the mass lesion in five patients; fresh luminal blood with no underlying lesion in seven patients, and non-specific erythema in three patients. Capsule endoscopy failed to identify all four cases of primary small bowel adenocarcinoma. CONCLUSIONS: Double balloon enteroscopy detects small bowel mass lesions responsible for OGIB that are missed by CE. Additional endoscopic evaluation of the small bowel by DBE or intraoperative enteroscopy should be performed in patients with ongoing OGIB and negative or non-specific findings on CE.     

Capsule endoscopy and single-balloon enteroscopy in small bowel diseases: Competing or complementary?

AIM To evaluate diagnostic yields of capsule endoscopy(CE) and/or single-balloon enteroscopy(SBE) in patients with suspected small bowel diseases.METHODS Were trospectively analyzed 700 patients with suspected small bowel diseases from September 2010 to March 2016. CE, SBE, or SBE with prior CE was performed in 401, 353, and 47 patients, respectively. Data from clinical and endoscopy records were collected for analysis. Indications, procedure times, diagnostic yields, and complications were summarized and evaluated.RESULTS The overall diagnostic yield for the CE group was 57.6%. The diagnostic yield of CE in patients with obscure gastroin testinal bleeding(OGIB) was significantly greater than that in patients with no bleeding(70.5% vs 43.8%, P 0.01). The overall diagnostic yield of SBE was 69.7%. There was no difference in the diagnostic yield of SBE between patients with OGIB and those with no bleeding(72.5% vs 68.9%, P = 0.534). Forty-seven patients underwent CE prior to SBE. Among them, the diagnostic yield of SBE with positive findings on prior CE was 93.3%. In addition, SBE detected two cases with superficial ulcer and erosive lesions in the small bowel, which were missed by CE. However, one case with lymphoma and two with Crohn's disease were not confirmed by SBE. The rate of capsule retention was 2.0%. There were no significant complications during or after SBE examinations.CONCLUSION SBE is a safe and effective technique for diagnosing small bowel diseases. SBE with prior CE seemed to improve the diagnostic yield of small bowel diseases.     

Capsule endoscopy in obscure gastrointestinal bleeding--an Indian experience.

BACKGROUND: Obscure gastrointestinal bleeding (OGIB) is a common indication for capsule endoscopy (CE). Reports on diagnostic yield of CE in this situation show a wide variation. We evaluated the diagnostic yield and clinical impact of CE in patients with OGIB. METHODS: We reviewed the medical records of patients with OGIB who underwent CE at our institution between June 2002 and October 2005. RESULTS: 154 patients (mean age 47 [SD 17] years; 117 men), including 74 with overt OGIB and 80 with occult OGIB, underwent CE. CE yielded positive findings in 57 of 74 patients (77%) with overt OGIB and 22 of 80 (27%) of those with occult OGIB (p < 0.0001); the overall positive diagnostic yield was 52%. NSAID-induced lesions (15%), angiodysplasias (14%) and aphthous ulcers (12%) were the most frequent findings. CE helped in planning further management in 79% of patients with overt OGIB and 26% of those with occult OGIB. CONCLUSION: CE is a useful diagnostic technique in patients with OGIB, especially those with overt OGIB.     

胶囊内镜诊断不明原因消化道出血107例

目的:探讨胶囊内镜在不明原因消化道出血中的诊断价值及其与双气囊小肠镜在病因诊断中联合应用的意义。方法:采用M2A胶囊内镜对107例不明原因消化道出血患者进行检查,其中男61例,女46例,平均年龄(51.6±18.9)岁。其中36例患者依据胶囊内镜所观察到的结果,选择经口或经肛行双气囊小肠镜检查和(或)手术探查。结果:107例患者中106例(99.1%)完成胶囊内镜检查,75例(70.8%)胶囊内镜通过回盲瓣。107例中病变检出96例(89.7%)、确诊70例(65.4%)。36例中再经双气囊小肠镜检查和(或)手术后证实胶囊内镜诊断者为26例(72.2%)。2例(1.9%)发生胶囊滞留。结论:胶囊内镜对不明原因消化道出血具有较高的诊断价值,可作为病因诊断的首选筛查手段,与双气囊小肠镜联合应用可大大提高疾病的确诊率。     

Yield,etiologies and outcomes of capsule endoscopy in Thai patients with obscure gastrointestinal bleeding

AIM: To investigate the yield, etiologies and impact of capsule endoscopy (CE) in Thai patients with obscure gastrointestinal bleeding (OGIB).METHODS: The present study is a retrospective cohort study. All patients with OGIB who underwent CE in Siriraj Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand during 2005-2009 were included in the study. All the patients’ medical records and results of the CE videos were reviewed. CE findings were classified as significant, suspicious/equivocal and negative. Sites of the lesions were located to duodenum, jejunum, jejunoileum, ileum and diffuse lesions by the localization device of the CE. Impact of CE on the patients’ management was defined by any investigation or treatment given to the patients that was more than an iron supplement or blood transfusion. Patients’ outcomes (rebleeding, persistent bleeding, anemia or requirement of blood transfusion) were collected from chart reviews and direct phone interviews with the patients.RESULTS: Overall, there were 103 patients with OGIB included in the study. Mean age of the patients was 64 ± 16 years (range 9-88 years) and 57 patients (55%) were male. Types of OGIB were overt in 80 (78%) and occult in 23 patients (22%). The median time interval of CE after onset of OGIB was 10 d (range 1-180 d). The median time of follow-up was 19 mo (range 1-54 mo). Capsules reached caecum in 77 patients (74%) and capsule retention was found in 1 patient (1%). The diagnostic yield of CE revealed significant lesions in 37 patients (36%), suspicious/equivocal lesions in 15 patients (15%) and 51 patients (49%) had negative CE result. Among the significant lesions, the bleeding etiologies were small bowel ulcers in 44%, angiodysplasia in 27%, small bowel tumor in 13%, miscellaneous in 8% and active bleeding without identifiable causes in 8%. Patients with small bowel ulcers were significantly associated with the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (48%, P = 0.034), while patients with small bowel tumors were more commonly female (86%, P = 0.043) compared to the other etiologies. The rate of rebleeding, persistent bleeding or anemia in patients with positive, equivocal and negative CE results were 5%, 0% and 18%, respectively (P = 0.078). All the 9 patients with rebleeding after negative CE were subsequently found to be from hematologic disorders (4), colonic diverticulosis (2), colonic Dieulafoy’s (1), hemorrhoid (1) and hemosuccus pancreaticus (1). Results of CE had a positive impact on the patients’ management in 35% of the patients whose results were positive, but none on the patients whose results were equivocal or negative CE (P < 0.001).CONCLUSION: In Thai OGIB patients, CE had low yield and small bowel ulcer was most common. Positive CE impacted managements and outcomes. Negative CE caused low rebleeding.     

A single-center experience of 260 consecutive patients undergoing capsule endoscopy for obscure gastrointestinal bleeding

OBJECTIVES: Capsule endoscopy (CE) has revolutionized the evaluation of obscure gastrointestinal bleeding (OGIB) but published literature is limited to small series with heterogeneous indications. The aim of this study was to determine the findings and the diagnostic yield of CE in a large series of patients with overt and occult OGIB. METHODS: Data on 260 patients who underwent CE for overt (N = 126) or occult (N = 134) OGIB were obtained by retrospective chart review and review of an internal database of CE patients and findings. RESULTS: Visualization of the entire small bowel was achieved in 74%. The majority of exams (66%) were rated as having a good or excellent prep. Clinically significant positive findings occurred in 53%. The yield of CE in the obscure-overt group was greater than in the obscure-occult group (60%vs 46%, P= 0.03). Small bowel angioectasias were the most common finding, comprising over 60% of clinically significant lesions. The mean follow-up was 9.6 months, and there were significant reductions in hospitalizations, additional tests/procedures, and units of blood transfused after CE. Both before and after CE, patients in the overt group had more significant GI bleeding than patients in the occult group. Complications occurred in five (1.9%) cases: nonnatural excretion (four) and CE impaction at cricopharyngeus (one). CONCLUSIONS: The yield of clinically important findings on CE in patients with OGIB is 53% and is greater in patients with obscure-overt than obscure-occult GI bleeding. Angioectasias account for the majority of significant lesions in both groups. Compared with pre-CE, patients had clinical improvement post-CE in medical interventions for OGIB. Complications of CE occur in less than 2% of cases.     

Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth and intestinal permeability

Abstract

Objective. Capsule endoscopy (CE) is the gold standard to diagnose small bowel bleeding. The “suspected blood indicator” (SBI) offers an automated detection of active small bowel bleeding but validity of this technique is unknown. The objective was to analyze specificity and sensitivity of the SBI using the second small bowel capsule generation for the detection of active bleeding. Methods. This is a retrospective analysis of all patients (199) who attended our clinic for CE from June 2008 through March 2013. The second-generation PillCam SB 2 capsule was used for detection of (1) luminal blood content and (2) potentially responsible small bowel lesions. The findings of an independent investigator were correlated to SBI findings and a number of SBI markings were analyzed by a receiver operating characteristic (ROC). Results. In 157/199 cases, no sign of active bleeding or altered blood was detected. One hundred and thirty-seven of these 157 cases provided at least one SBI marking and a mean of 18.4 positive SBI markings per record were found. In 20 cases, neither SBI nor the human investigator detected abnormalities. Thirteen patients showed investigator-detected minor bleeding with mean SBI findings of 36 positive screenshots per record. When major bleeding was diagnosed by the investigator (n = 29), SBI detected a mean of 46.6 SBI-positive markings. SBI turned positive in 179 patients, whereas the investigator detected active bleeding in 42 cases. All patients with active bleeding were detected by SBI (sensitivity 100%, specificity 13%). ROC analysis revealed 51.0 SBI markings being the optimal cutoff for active versus no bleeding (sensitivity 79.1%, specificity 90.4%, misclassification of 15.3%). Conclusion. The new SBI software is a reliable tool to exclude active bleeding and/or major lesions but analysis of the CE video by a trained investigator is still important for the detection of lesions responsible for past bleeding.     

Double balloon enteroscopy and capsule endoscopy for obscure gastrointestinal bleeding: an updated meta-analysis

Background and Aim: Uncertainty remains about the best test to evaluate patients with obscure gastrointestinal bleeding (OGIB). Previous meta‐analyses demonstrated similar diagnostic yields with capsule endoscopy (CE) and double balloon enteroscopy (DBE) but relied primarily on data from abstracts and were not limited to bleeding patients. Many studies have since been published. Therefore, we performed a new meta‐analysis comparing CE and DBE focused specifically on OGIB. Methods: A comprehensive literature search was performed of comparative studies using both CE and DBE in patients with OGIB. Data were extracted and analyzed to determine the weighted pooled diagnostic yields of each method and the odds ratio for the successful localization of a bleeding source. Results: Ten eligible studies were identified. The pooled diagnostic yield for CE was 62% (95% confidence interval [CI] 47.3–76.1) and for DBE was 56% (95% CI 48.9–62.1), with an odds ratio for CE compared with DBE of 1.39 (95% CI 0.88–2.20; P = 0.16). Subgroup analysis demonstrated the yield for DBE performed after a previously positive CE was 75.0% (95% CI 60.1–90.0), with the odds ratio for successful diagnosis with DBE after a positive CE compared with DBE in all patients of 1.79 (95% CI 1.09–2.96; P = 0.02). In contrast, the yield for DBE after a previously negative CE was only 27.5% (95% CI 16.7–37.8). Conclusions: Capsule endoscopy and double balloon enteroscopy provide similar diagnostic yields in patients with OGIB. However, the diagnostic yield of DBE is significantly higher when performed in patients with a positive CE.     

Single center experience of capsule endoscopy in patients with obscure gastrointestinal bleeding

AIM:To identify optimum timing to maximize diagnostic yield by capsule endoscopy (CE) in patients with obscure gastrointestinal bleeding (OGIB).METHODS:We identified patients who underwent CE at our institution from August 2003 to December 2009.Patient medical records were reviewed to determine type of OGIB (occult,overt),CE results and complications,and timing of CE with respect to onset of bleeding.RESULTS:Out of 385 patients investigated for OGIB,284 (74%) had some lesion detected by CE.In 222 patients (...     

Long-term outcome in patients with obscure gastrointestinal bleeding after negative capsule endoscopy

AIM:To investigate long-term outcome in obscure gastrointestinal bleeding(OGIB) after negative capsule endoscopy(CE) and identify risk factors for rebleeding.METHODS:A total of 113 consecutive patients underwent CE for OGIB from May 2003 to June 2010 at Seoul National University Hospital.Ninety-five patients(84.1%) with a subsequent follow-up after CE of at least 6 mo were enrolled in this study.Follow-up data were obtained from the patients’ medical records.The CE images were reviewed by two board-certified gastroenterologists and consensus diagnosis was used in all cases.The primary outcome measure was the detection of rebleeding after CE,and factors associated with rebleeding were evaluated using multivariate analysis.RESULTS:Of the 95 enrolled patients(median age 61 years,range 17-85 years),62 patients(65.3%) were male.The median duration of follow-up was 23.7 mo(range 6.0-89.4 mo).Seventy-three patients(76.8%) underwent CE for obscure-overt bleeding.Complete examination of the small bowel was achieved in 77 cases(81.1%).Significant lesions were found in 38 patients(40.0%).The overall rebleeding rate was 28.4%.The rebleeding rate was higher in patients with positive CE(36.8%) than in those with negative CE(22.8%).However,there was no significant difference in cumulative rebleeding rates between the two groups(log rank test;P = 0.205).Anticoagulation after CE examination was an independent risk factor for rebleeding(hazard ratio,5.019;95%CI,1.560-16.145;P = 0.007),regardless of CE results.CONCLUSION:Patients with OGIB and negative CE have a potential risk of rebleeding.Therefore,close observation is required and alternative modalities should be considered in suspicious cases.     

Obscure gastrointestinal bleeding: single centre experience of capsule endoscopy

The advent of capsule endoscopy (CE) has resulted in a paradigm shift in the approach to the diagnosis and management of patients with obscure gastrointestinal bleeding (OGIB). With increasing global availability of this diagnostic tool, it has now become an integral part of the diagnostic algorithm for OGIB in most parts of the world. However, there is scant data on optimum timing of CE for maximizing diagnostic yield. OGIB continues to be a challenge because of delay in diagnosis and consequent morbidity and mortality. We evaluated the diagnostic yield of CE in identifying the source of bleeding in patients with OGIB. We identified patients who underwent CE at our institution from May 2006 to May 2011. The patients’ medical records were reviewed to determine the type of OGIB (occult, overt), CE results and complications, and timing of CE with respect to onset of bleeding. Out of 346 patients investigated for OGIB, 246 (71.1%) had some lesion detected by CE. In 206 patients (59.5%), definite lesions were detected that could unequivocally explain the OGIB. Small bowel angiodysplasia, ulcer/erosions secondary to Crohn’s disease, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent use, and neoplasms were the commonest lesions detected. Visualization of the entire small bowel was achieved in 311 (89.9%) of cases. Capsule retention was noted in five patients (1.4%). In this study, CE was proven to be a safe, comfortable, and effective, with a high rate of accuracy for diagnosing OGIB.     

Darier's disease with esophageal involvement

Abstract

Objective. Nowadays, capsule endoscopy (CE) is the first-line procedure after negative upper and lower gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy for obscure gastrointestinal bleeding (OGIB). Approximately, two-thirds of patients undergoing CE for OGIB will have a small-bowel abnormality. However, several patients who underwent CE for OGIB had the source of their blood loss in the stomach or in the colon. The aim of the present study is to determine the incidence of bleeding lesions missed by the previous gastroscopy/colonoscopy with CE and to evaluate the indication to repeat a new complete endoscopic workup in subjects related to a tertiary center for obscure bleeding before CE. Methods and methods. We prospectively reviewed data from 637/1008 patients underwent to CE for obscure bleeding in our tertiary center after performing negative gastroscopy and colonoscopy. Results. CE revealed a definite or likely cause of bleeding in stomach in 138/637 patients (yield 21.7%) and in the colon in 41 patients (yield 6.4%) with a previous negative gastroscopy and colonoscopy, respectively. The lesions found were outside the small bowel in only 54/637 (8.5%) patients. In 111/138 patients, CE found lesions both in stomach and small bowel (small-bowel erosions in 54, AVMs in 45, active small-bowel bleeding in 4, neoplastic lesions in 3 and distal ileum AVMs in 5 patients). In 24/41 (58.5%) patients, CE found lesions both in small bowel and colon (multiple small-bowel erosions in 15; AVMs in 8 and neoplastic lesion in 1 patients. All patients underwent endoscopic therapy or surgery for their nonsmall-bowel lesions. Conclusions. Lesions in upper or lower GI tract have been missed in about 28% of patients submitted to CE for obscure bleeding. CE may play an important role in identifying lesions missed at conventional endoscopy.     

胶囊内镜检查不明原因消化道出血临床转归115例

目的:探讨胶囊内镜诊断不明原因消化道出血(OGIB)的可靠性及根据其诊断结果指导疾病,临床转归的有效性.方法:收集2002-05/2005-06间因不明原因消化道出血连续至本院行胶囊内镜检查的患者99例,通过就诊记录、电话追踪和门急诊随访等分析胶囊内镜诊断结果的临床符合情况、根据该诊断指导干预措施的结果、患者再出血及再检查等情况.结果:胶囊内镜对OGIB的病变检出率为89.9%,平均随访时间为18.4(6-41)mo,63例(63.6%)胶囊内镜检查结果得以验证,病变检出率在验证前后无显著差异(P=0.36),最终确诊率达90.5%(57/63).根据胶囊内镜诊断结果指导的特异性治疗率为50.5%(50/99),总成功率为82%(41/50),且经胶囊内镜诊断结果指导的对小肠阳性病变的有效干预率显著高于可疑阳性病变(P=0.01).结论:胶囊内镜诊断不明原因消化道出血的准确性高,能有效指导对疾病的进一步治疗,并能较大程度地影响这些疾病,特别是溃疡、肿瘤及血管发育不良所致的不明原因消化道出血的临床转归.     

Yield of repeat wireless video capsule endoscopy in patients with obscure gastrointestinal bleeding

PURPOSE: Capsule endoscopy (CE) has been shown to have a high diagnostic yield in patients with obscure gastrointestinal bleeding (OGIB). It is not known if repeating CE improves diagnostic yield or changes patient management when the initial CE is negative or nondiagnostic. The aims of this study are (1) to understand the reasons for repeat CE, (2) to determine the diagnostic yield of repeat CE, and (3) to establish if findings on repeat CE resulted in a change in patient management. METHODS: Between August 2001 and October 2003, we performed 391 capsule studies. Of these, 24 were repeat studies in patients with OGIB. We retrospectively reviewed the charts of these 24 patients. RESULTS: The reasons for repeat CE were: recurrent gastrointestinal bleeding (13), limited visualization on first exam due to poor prep or blood (10), complication (1) (capsule impaction at cricopharyngeus). Eighteen of 24 (75%) repeat capsule studies revealed additional findings (7 arteriovenous malformations, 2 gastropathy, 2 erosions, 2 masses, 1 ulcer, 2 red spots, 1 linear streak, 1 erythema). These findings led to changes in patient management in 15 of the 24 (62.5%) cases. CONCLUSIONS: Indications for repeat CE most commonly include recurrent gastrointestinal bleeding and limited visualization on initial study. Repeat CE results in a high yield of new findings that lead to changes in patient management. Repeat CE should be considered in patients with persistent OGIB when the initial study is negative or inconclusive.     

What is the impact of capsule endoscopy in the long term period?

AIM: To assess the clinical impact of capsule endoscopy(CE) in the long-term follow-up period in patients with obscure gastrointestinal bleeding(OGIB). METHODS: One hundred and forty-one patients who applied CE for OGIB between 2009 and 2012 were retrospectively analyzed, and this cohort was then questioned prospectively. Demographic data of the patients were determined via the presence of comorbid diseases, use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs anticoagulant-antiaggregant agents, previous diagnostic tests for bleeding episodes, CE findings, laboratory tests and outcomes.RESULTS: CE was performed on 141 patients becauseof OGIB. The capsule was retained in the upper gastrointestinal(GI) system in two of the patients, thus video monitoring was not achieved. There were 139 patients [62% male, median age: 72 years(range: 13-93 years) and a median follow-up duration: 32 mo(range: 6-82 mo)]. The overall diagnostic yield of CE was 84.9%. Rebleeding was determined in 40.3%(56/139) of the patients. The rebleeding rates of patients with positive and negative capsule results at the end of the follow-up were 46.6%(55/118) and 4.8%(1/21), respectively. In the multivariate analysis, usage of NSAIDs, anticoagulant-antiaggregant therapies(OR = 5.8; 95%CI: 1.86-18.27) and vascular ectasia(OR = 6.02; 95%CI: 2.568-14.146) in CE were detected as independent predictors of rebleeding. In the univariate analysis, advanced age, comorbidity, and overt bleeding were detected as predictors of rebleeding.CONCLUSION: CE is a reliable method in the diagnosis of obscure GI bleeding. Negative CE correlated with a significantly lower rebleeding risk in the long-term follow-up period.     

Capsule endoscopy versus computed tomographic or standard angiography for the diagnosis of obscure gastrointestinal bleeding

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Capsule endoscopy (CE) is superior to push enteroscopy and small bowel barium radiography in detecting the source of obscure GI bleeding. We now compared whether CE has a superior diagnostic yield than CT angiography (CTA) or standard mesenteric angiography (ANGIO) in patients with obscure GI bleeding. METHODS: From June 2004 to October 2005, consecutive patients admitted for OGIB underwent both CTA and ANGIO, followed by CE, performed blindly by independent examiners within the next 7 days. The primary end point of the study was the diagnostic yield for each technique, defined as the frequency of detection of lesions with a high probability of bleeding. RESULTS: Twenty-eight patients (16 men and 12 women, mean age 74 +/- 2 yr) with OGIB (overt bleeding in 20 cases and chronic occult in 8) were prospectively evaluated. CTA or standard angiography could be performed in 25 of 28 patients (applicability 86%), because of contrast allergy (1 patient) and chronic renal failure (2 patients). A source of bleeding was detected by CE in a greater proportion of patients, 72% (18 of 25, 95% CI 50.6-87.9%), than CTA, 24% (6 of 25, 95% CI 9.4-45.1%, P= 0.005 vs CE), or ANGIO, 56% (14 of 25, 95% CI 34.9-75.6%, P= NS). Similarly, CE was able to diagnose 100% of patients diagnosed by CTA and 86% of patients diagnosed by ANGIO. Moreover, CE was positive in 12 of 19 (63%) negative cases on CTA and in 6 of 11 (55%) negative cases on ANGIO. As a result of the CE findings, therapeutic intervention was undertaken in 9 of 19 (47%) patients with positive results. CONCLUSION: CE detects more lesions than CTA or standard mesenteric angiography in patients with obscure GI bleeding and has a therapeutic impact in almost half of the patients with positive findings.     

A meta-analysis of the yield of capsule endoscopy compared to other diagnostic modalities in patients with obscure gastrointestinal bleeding

OBJECTIVES: Due to its superior ability to examine the entire small bowel mucosa, capsule endoscopy (CE) has broadened the diagnostic evaluation of patients with obscure gastrointestinal bleeding (OGIB). Published studies have revealed a numerically superior performance of CE in determining a source of OGIB compared with other modalities, but due to small sample sizes, the overall magnitude of benefit is unknown. Additionally, the types of lesions more likely to be found by CE versus alternate modalities are also unknown. The aim of this study was to evaluate the yield of small bowel findings with CE in patients with OGIB compared to other modalities using meta-analysis. METHODS: We performed a recursive literature search of prospective studies comparing the yield of CE to other modalities in patients with OGIB. Data on yield and types of lesions identified among various modalities were extracted, pooled, and analyzed. Incremental yield (IY) (yield of CE-yield of comparative modality) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) of CE over comparative modalities were calculated. RESULTS: A total of 14 studies (n = 396) compared the yield of CE with push enteroscopy for OGIB. The yield for CE and push enteroscopy was 63% and 28%, respectively (IY = 35%, p < 0.00001, 95% CI = 26-43%) and for clinically significant findings (n = 376) was 56% and 26%, respectively (IY = 30%, p < 0.00001, 95% CI = 21-38%). Three studies (n = 88) compared the yield of CE to small bowel barium radiography. The yield for CE and small bowel barium radiography for any finding was 67% and 8%, respectively (IY = 59%, p < 0.00001, 95% CI = 48-70%) and for clinically significant findings was 42% and 6%, respectively (IY = 36%, p < 0.00001, 95% CI = 25-48%). Number needed to test (NNT) to yield one additional clinically significant finding with CE over either modality was 3 (95% CI = 2-4). One study each compared the yield of significant findings on CE to intraoperative enteroscopy (n = 42, IY = 0%, p= 1.0, 95% CI =-16% to 16%), computed tomography enteroclysis (n = 8, IY = 38%, p= 0.08, 95% CI =-4% to 79%), mesenteric angiogram (n = 17, IY =-6%, p= 0.73, 95% CI =-39% to 28%), and small bowel magnetic resonance imaging (n = 14, IY = 36%, p= 0.007, 95% CI = 10-62%). Ten of the 14 trials comparing CE with push enteroscopy classified the types of lesions found on examination. CE had a 36% yield for vascular lesions versus 20% for push enteroscopy, with an IY of 16% (p < 0.00001, 95% CI = 9-23%). Inflammatory lesions were also found more often in CE (11%) than in push enteroscopy (2%), with an IY of 9% (p= 0.0001, 95% CI = 5-13%). There was no significant difference in the yield of tumors or "other" findings between CE and push enteroscopy. CONCLUSIONS: CE is superior to push enteroscopy and small bowel barium radiography for diagnosing clinically significant small bowel pathology in patients with OGIB. In study populations, the IY of CE over push enteroscopy and small bowel barium radiography for clinically significant findings is >or=30% with an NNT of 3, primarily due to visualization of additional vascular and inflammatory lesions by CE.     

Impact of fecal occult blood on obscure gastrointestinal bleeding:Observational study

AIM: To elucidate the association between small bowel diseases(SBDs) and positive fecal occult blood test(FOBT) in patients with obscure gastrointestinal bleeding(OGIB).METHODS: Between February 2008 and August 2013, 202 patients with OGIB who performed both capsule endoscopy(CE) and FOBT were enrolled(mean age; 63.6 ± 14.0 years, 118 males, 96 previous overt bleeding, 106 with occult bleeding). All patients underwent immunochemical FOBTs twice prior to CE. Three experienced endoscopists independently reviewed CE videos. All reviews and consensus meeting were conducted without any information on FOBT results. The prevalence of SBDs was compared between patients with positive and negative FOBT.RESULTS: CE revealed SBDs in 72 patients(36%). FOBT was positive in 100 patients(50%) and negative in 102(50%). The prevalence of SBDs was significantly higher in patients with positive FOBT than those with negative FOBT(46% vs 25%, P = 0.002). In particular, among patients with occult OGIB, the prevalence of SBDs was higher in positive FOBT group than negative FOBT group(45% vs 18%, P = 0.002). On the other hand, among patients with previous overt OGIB, there was no significant difference in the prevalence of SBDs between positive and negative FOBT group(47% vs 33%, P = 0.18). In disease specific analysis among patients with occult OGIB, the prevalence of ulcer and tumor were higher in positive FOBT group than negative FOBT group. In multivariate analysis, only positive FOBT was a predictive factors of SBDs in patients with OGIB(OR = 2.5, 95%CI: 1.4-4.6, P = 0.003). Furthermore, the trend was evidentam on g patients with occult OGIB who underwent FOBT on the same day or a day before CE. The prevalence of SBDs in positive vs negative FOBT group were 54% vs 13% in patients with occult OGIB who underwent FOBT on the same day or the day before CE(P = 0.001), while there was no significant difference between positive and negative FOBT group in those who underwent FOBT two or more days before CE(43% vs 25%, P = 0.20).CONCLUSION: The present study suggests that positive FOBT may be useful for predicting SBDs in patients with occult OGIB. Positive FOBT indicates higher likelihood of ulcers or tumors in patients with occult OGIB. Undergoing CE within a day after FOBT achieved a higher diagnostic yield for patients with occult OGIB.